Improved overflow siphon for use in a dishwasher and dishwasher having the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an overflow siphon ( 1 ) for use in a dishwasher ( 2 ) for draining excess water. The dishwasher ( 2 ) comprises a washing tub ( 3 ) for receiving dishes to be cleaned, wherein the washing tub ( 3 ) has an opening for loading or unloading the dishes, a plurality of feet ( 5 ) for supporting the washing tub ( 3 ) and a reservoir which is arranged under the washing tub ( 3 ) for collecting the excess water filled into the washing tub ( 3 ). The overflow siphon ( 1 ) comprises a duct ( 6 ) which includes an inlet ( 7 ) for drawing the excess water from the washing tub ( 3 ) and an outlet ( 8 ) for draining the excess water into the reservoir, wherein the outlet ( 8 ) is fluidly connected to the inlet ( 7 ).

The present invention relates to an overflow siphon for use in adishwasher and a dishwasher having an overflow siphon. The presentinvention particularly relates to an overflow siphon for draining excesswater from a washing tub into a reservoir which is arranged under thewashing tub.

The washing tub of a dishwasher is generally filled with a requisiteamount of fresh water for cleaning the dishes. Several methods offilling a washing tub with water are known. In a commonly usedtechnique, the water level inside the washing tub is monitored by alevel sensor which is arranged within the washing tub. In anothercommonly used technique, the water level inside the washing tub ismonitored by a flow sensor arranged along a water intake line.

A problem with a water filling process is that the sensors and/or thewater intake valves can fail to function properly. In such cases, thewashing tub is filled with an excessive amount of water. The excesswater usually runs off the washing tub and causes serious damages.

Several methods have been devised to drain the excess water away fromthe washing tub. In a commonly used technique, the water level in thewashing tub is monitored by a presostat. If the water level exceeds apredetermined level, a discharge motor is activated to drain off theexcess water. However, the use of a presostat renders the drainagesystem susceptible to disturbances. Therefore, a reliable drainagemethod must be used. In another commonly used technique, the washing tubis provided with an overflow siphon for conducting the excess water intoa reservoir which is arranged under the washing tub. The overflow siphonis arranged to fluidly connect the washing tub with the reservoir. Ifthe water level exceeds a predetermined level, the excess water isconducted via the overflow siphon into the reservoir. The reservoir istypically provided with a buoy which activates a discharge motor fordraining off the excess water collected in the reservoir.

DE 39 30 578 A1 discloses a dishwasher which has a drain hose fordraining the excess water from a washing tub into a bottom tray. Thedrain hose has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fitted to anoverflow channel. The excess water runs off into the overflow channelthrough a cut-out in the washing tub. The outlet opens into the bottomtray. The overflow channel is clamped between an outer side wall of thedishwasher and a cross member which supports the washing tub.

In general, it is important that the drainage system is leak-tight toprevent water from flowing to an outside of the dishwasher. However, aleak-tight drainage system can only be attained if all of its componentsare adequately mounted to the dishwasher. The drainage components areusually vulnerable to misalignments and relative displacements duringthe clamping work.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an overflow siphonfor use in a dishwasher which overcomes the aforementioned problems ofthe prior art and which can be easily and reliably installed for aninitial operation of the dishwasher or uninstalled for servicing thedishwasher.

This objective has been achieved by the overflow siphon according to thepresent invention as defined in claim 1, and the dishwasher according tothe present invention as defined in claim 10. Further achievements havebeen attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in thedependent claims.

The overflow siphon of the present invention is configured by a ductwhich has a first engagement means for aligning and detachably attachingthe same directly to its designated attachment position on one of thefront feet. The duct has an inlet that adjoins a lower edge of anopening of the washing tub to define an overflow path that fluidlyconnects the washing tub with the duct. The duct has an outlet thatopens into a reservoir for collecting the excess water. Thereby, theoverflow siphon can be easily and reliably installed into thedishwasher.

In an embodiment, the first engagement means is provided on a lateralwall portion of the duct. The overflow siphon can be aligned andattached to the front foot by way of a lateral engagement. Thereby, asufficient amount of working space is secured for installing oruninstalling the overflow siphon.

In another embodiment, the first engagement means rotatably engages theduct with the front foot. The duct is resiliently arrested to the frontfoot when it is rotatably aligned to its designated attachment position.Thereby, an installation of the overflow siphon is further improved.Thus, the overflow siphon is prevented from being misaligned ordisplaced.

In an alternative embodiment, the first engagement means has one or morethan one snap-fit element which resiliently and detachably engages theduct with the front foot. In this embodiment, the overflow siphon can bealigned and attached to the front foot as before by way of a lateralengagement. However, in this embodiment, the overflow siphon need not berotated for an alignment and can be immediately attached to the frontfoot at its designated attachment position.

In another embodiment, the overflow siphon has a second engagement meansfor positioning and preliminarily arresting a frontal reinforcementbracket which is utilized for supporting the washing tub. The secondengagement means facilitates proper positioning of the frontalreinforcement bracket when mounting the same to the front feet. However,the installation of the overflow siphon is performed separately andprior to an installation of the frontal reinforcement bracket. Thereby,the overflow siphon can be easily serviced.

The dishwasher according to the present invention may have one or morethan one overflow siphon. Thereby, the excess water can be rapidlydrained off before it runs off the washing tub.

In another embodiment, the washing tub has one or more than onedownwardly bending cove-shaped lip which adjoins the inlet to define asmooth overflow path that fluidly connects the washing tub with arespective duct of the overflow siphon. Thereby, a flow path between thewashing tub and the duct is further improved.

In another embodiment, a door of the washing tub is configured toopen/close without interfering with the frontal reinforcement bracket.Thereby, the overflow siphons can be uninstalled for servicing withoutdemounting the door.

The overflow siphon of the present invention can be easily and reliablyinstalled into the dishwasher. Especially, an alignment and anattachment of the overflow siphon to the dishwasher has beenfacilitated. Thereby, the overflow siphon is prevented from beingmisaligned and displaced during an installation as well as after aninstallation, for example when the dishwasher is transported or thelike. Hence, a leak-tight installation and a proper operation of thedrainage system is safeguarded. In addition, the overflow siphon can beeasily uninstalled for servicing. Most importantly, a frontalreinforcement bracket can be separately and independently uninstalledwithout jeopardizing the leak-tightness of the overflow siphon.Moreover, a sufficient amount of working space forinstalling/uninstalling the overflow siphon has been secured. Thus, theoverflow siphons can be uninstalled for servicing the dishwasher evenwithout demounting the door. The overflow siphon of the presentinvention enables a compact drainage system which is highly fail-safeand cost effective.

Additional advantages of the overflow siphon and the dishwasheraccording to the present invention will become apparent with thedetailed description of the embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective partial view of a dishwasher havingtwo overflow siphons according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3—is another schematic partial perspective view of the dishwasherhaving two overflow siphons according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 2, prior to aligning and attaching the overflowsiphon to a front foot.

FIG. 6—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 5, prior to rotating the overflow siphon.

FIG. 7—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 6, while rotating the overflow siphon to itsdesignated attachment position.

FIG. 8—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of thedishwasher shown in FIG. 7, when the overflow siphon is aligned andattached to the front foot at its designated attachment position.

FIG. 9—is an enlarged schematic perspective partial view of a dishwasherhaving an overflow siphon according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the followingtechnical features.

-   1. Siphon-   2. Dishwasher-   3. Tub-   4. Hinge-   5. Foot-   6. Duct-   7. Inlet-   8. Outlet-   9. Edge-   10 a. Lateral wall portion-   10 b. Upper wall portion-   10 c. Lower wall portion-   11. First projecting portion-   12. Flange-   13. First aperture-   14. Second projecting portion-   15. Second aperture-   16. Snap-fit element-   17. Bracket-   18. Lip-   19. Base-   20. Plate

The overflow siphon (1) is suitable for use in a dishwasher (2) fordraining excess water (FIGS. 1 to 4). The dishwasher (2) includes awashing tub (3) for receiving dishes to be cleaned. The washing tub (3)has an opening for loading or unloading the dishes. The dishwasher (2)further includes a plurality of feet (5) for supporting the washing tub(3). A reservoir (not shown) is arranged under the washing tub (3) forcollecting the excess water filled into the washing tub (3). Theoverflow siphon (1) is formed by a duct (6) which has an inlet (7) andan outlet (8) (FIGS. 5 to 9). The outlet (8) is fluidly connected to theinlet (7). The inlet (7) draws the excess water from the washing tub(3). The outlet (8) drains the excess water into the reservoir.

The overflow siphon (1) according to the present invention has a firstengagement means which is configured to align and detachably attach theduct (6) directly to one of a front foot (5) at its designatedattachment position (FIGS. 8 and 9). When the overflow siphon (1) is atits designated attachment position, the inlet (7) adjoins a lower edge(9) of the opening of the washing tub (3) to define an overflow paththat fluidly connects the washing tub (3) with the duct (6), and theoutlet (8) opens into the reservoir. Thereby, the overflow siphon (1)can be easily and reliably installed into the dishwasher (2).

In an embodiment, the duct (6) is formed by two lateral wall portions(10 a), an upper wall portion (10 b), and a lower wall portion (10 c)(FIGS. 5 to 9). The lateral wall portions (10 a) respectively oppose theinner sides of the front feet (5). The upper wall portion (10 b) opposesa lower side of the washing tub (3). In this embodiment, the firstengagement means is formed on a lateral wall portion (10 a) of the duct(6) (FIGS. 5 to 9). The overflow siphon (1) can be aligned and attachedto the front foot (5) by way of a lateral engagement. Thereby, asufficient amount of working space for installing the overflow siphon(1) is secured.

In another embodiment, the first engagement means has a first sectionand second section. The first section is configured to rotatably engagethe duct (6) with one of the front feet (5) (FIGS. 5 to 8). The secondsection is configured to arrest the duct (6) to the same front foot (5)when the duct (6) is rotatably aligned to its designated attachmentposition. Thereby, both the alignment step and the attachment step arefurther facilitated. Consequently, the overflow siphon (1) is preventedfrom being misaligned or displaced.

In another embodiment, the first section has a first projecting portion(11) (FIG. 5). The first projecting portion (11) has a flange (12) whichis insertable through a first aperture (13) formed on the front foot (5)(FIGS. 5 to 8). In this embodiment, the second section has a secondprojecting portion (14) which resiliently snaps into a second aperture(15) formed on the front foot (5) (FIGS. 5 to 8).

In another embodiment, both the flange (12) and the first aperture (13)have non-circular shapes (FIGS. 5 to 8). The flange (12) partiallyoverlaps, in an axial direction a surrounding portion of the firstaperture (13) when the duct (6) is rotated to its designated attachmentposition (FIGS. 7 and 8). Thereby, a rotating flange lock is attainedwhich allows releasing or arresting the overflow siphon (1).

In an alternative embodiment, the first engagement means has one or morethan one snap-fit element (16) which resiliently and detachably engagesthe duct (6) with the front foot (5) (FIG. 9). The overflow siphon (1)can be aligned and attached to the front foot (5) as before by way of alateral engagement. However, in this embodiment, the overflow siphon (1)need not be rotated when aligning and attaching to the front foot (5) atits designated attachment position. As before, a sufficient amount ofworking space is secured for installing/uninstalling the overflow siphon(1).

In another embodiment, the overflow siphon (1) has, in addition to thefirst engagement means, a second engagement means. The second engagementmeans is utilized for positioning and preliminarily arresting a frontalreinforcement bracket (17) (FIGS. 1 to 4). The frontal reinforcementbracket (17) is utilized for supporting the washing tub (3). The frontalreinforcement bracket (17) is to be arranged across the two front feet(5) and underneath the washing tub (3). When assembling the dishwasher(2), the overflow siphon is initially aligned and attached to a frontfoot (5). As next, the frontal reinforcement bracket (17) is mounted thetwo front feet (5) and underneath the washing tub (3). Thereby, theinstallation of the over flow siphon (1) is performed separately fromthe frontal reinforcement bracket (17). However, the second engagementmeans facilitates proper positioning of the frontal reinforcementbracket (17) when mounting the latter to the front feet (5).

In another embodiment, the second engagement means is provided on thelower wall portion (10 c) of the duct (6) so as to oppose an uppersurface of the frontal reinforcement bracket (17) (FIGS. 1 to 4).

In another embodiment, the duct (6) has a rectangular cross section. Thecross section of the duct (6) gradually increases towards an opening ofthe inlet (7) (FIGS. 1 to 9). Thereby a wide overflow path is attained.

The dishwasher (2) according to the present invention may have one ormore than one overflow siphon (1). Thereby, the excess water can berapidly drained off.

In an embodiment of the dishwasher, two overflow siphons (1) arerespectively attached to each one of the two front feet (5) (FIGS. 1 to4). The overflow siphons (1) respectively adjoin the left and rightlower edges (9) of the opening (4) of the washing tub (3) which areclose to the side walls of the dishwasher. Thereby, the excess water isquickly and reliably drained off even when the dishwasher is nothorizontally installed.

In another embodiment, a lower edge (9) of the opening of the washingtub (3) has one or more than on downwardly bending cove-shaped lip (18)(FIGS. 5 to 7). Each of the lips (18) defines an overflow path thatfluidly connects the washing tub (3) with a respective duct (6). In thisembodiment, the inlet (7) is arranged to adjoin a respective lip (18)(FIGS. 1 to 9). The lip (18) bends into the inlet (17).

In another embodiment, each of the front feet (5) is configured by aheight adjustable base (19) and a lateral reinforcement plate (20)(FIGS. 1 to 9). In this embodiment, the lateral reinforcement plates(20) are respectively arranged on the lateral side of the washing tub(3). Each of the lateral reinforcement plate (20) firmly connects thewashing tub (3) to the base (19). The height adjustable base (19) isprovided in form of a frame which supports the whole dishwasher (2). Inthis embodiment, the first engagement means of the overflow siphon (1)aligns and detachably attaches the duct (6) directly to a respectivelateral reinforcement plate (20) of the front foot (5) (FIGS. 1 to 9).

In another embodiment, the dishwasher has a door (not shown) foropening/closing the washing tub (3). The door is pivotably mountable tothe lateral reinforcement plates (20) by means of hinges (4) (FIGS. 5 to9). The dishwasher (2) further includes a frontal reinforcement bracket(17) which is mounted across the two front feet (5) (FIGS. 1 to 4). Thefrontal reinforcement bracket (17) extends horizontally underneath boththe overflow siphons (1) and the washing tub (3). In this embodiment,the frontal reinforcement bracket (17) supports the washing tub (3)without interfering with the pivotable door. Thereby, the overflowsiphons (1) can be disassembled for servicing the dishwasher (2) withoutdemounting the door. When servicing the overflow siphons, at first thefrontal reinforcement bracket (17) is demounted. As next, the overflowsiphons are detached from the front feet (5).

In another embodiment, the dishwasher (2) has a discharging unit (notshown) for discharging the excess water collected in the reservoir to anoutside. The discharging unit includes a discharge motor and a buoy. Thebuoy is arranged within the reservoir. The buoy activates operation ofthe discharge motor when the reservoir has collected a predeterminedamount of water.

The overflow siphon of the present invention is easy to mount.Especially, an alignment and an attachment of the overflow siphon hasbeen improved. Thus, any misalignments and displacements during aninstallation as well as after the installation have practicallyprevented. The overflow siphon of the present invention enables aleak-tight installation. The overflow siphon of the present invention iscompact. Thus, a sufficient amount of working space forinstalling/uninstalling the overflow siphon has been secured.Consequently, the overflow siphon is easy to service. In addition, aninterference of the overflow siphon with other components has beenreduced. For instance, a frontal reinforcement bracket can be separatelyand independently uninstalled. Moreover, when servicing the dishwasher,the overflow siphons can be uninstalled without demounting the pivotabledoor.

1. An overflow siphon (1) for use in a dishwasher (2) for drainingexcess water, the dishwasher (2) comprising a washing tub (3) forreceiving dishes to be cleaned, wherein the washing tub (3) has anopening for loading or unloading the dishes, a plurality of feet (5) forsupporting the washing tub (3) and a reservoir which is arranged underthe washing tub (3) for collecting the excess water filled into thewashing tub (3), the overflow siphon (1) comprising a duct (6) whichincludes an inlet (7) for drawing the excess water from the washing tub(3) and an outlet (8) for draining the excess water into the reservoir,wherein the outlet (8) is fluidly connected to the inlet (7); theoverflow siphon (1) characterized by further comprising a firstengagement means for aligning and detachably attaching the duct (6)directly to one of a front feet (5) at a designated attachment positionwherein the inlet (7) adjoins a lower edge (9) of the opening of thewashing tub (3) to define an overflow path that fluidly connects thewashing tub (3) with the duct (6) and wherein the outlet (8) opens intothe reservoir.
 2. The overflow siphon (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that the duct (6) including a lateral wall portion (10a) which opposes an inner side of the front foot (5) and an upper wallportion (10 b) which opposes a lower side of the washing tub (3),wherein the first engagement means is provided on a lateral wall portion(10 a) of the duct (6).
 3. The overflow siphon (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that the first engagement means including a firstsection for rotatably engaging the duct (6) with the front foot (5) anda second section for arresting the duct (6) to the front foot (5) whenthe duct (6) is rotatably aligned to its designated attachment position.4. The overflow siphon (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe first section including a first projecting portion (11) which hasflange (12) for inserting through a first aperture (13) on the frontfoot (5) and the second section including a second projecting portion(14) for resiliently snapping into a second aperture (15) on the frontfoot (5).
 5. The overflow siphon (1) according to claim 4, characterizedin that both the flange (12) and the first aperture (13) havenon-circular shapes, wherein the flange (12) partially overlaps, in anaxial direction a surrounding portion of the first aperture (13) whenthe duct (6) is rotated to its designated attachment position.
 6. Theoverflow siphon (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that thefirst engagement means including one or more than one snap-fit element(16) for engaging the duct (6) with the front foot (5).
 7. The overflowsiphon (1) according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising asecond engagement means for positioning and arresting a frontalreinforcement bracket (17) which is arranged across the two front feet(5) and underneath the washing tub (3).
 8. The overflow siphon (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct (6) furtherincluding a lower wall portion (10 c) which is averted from a lowersurface of the washing tub (3), wherein the second engagement means isprovided on the lower wall portion (10 c) of the duct (6) so as tooppose an upper surface of the frontal reinforcement bracket (17). 9.The overflow siphon (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that theduct (6) has a rectangular cross section which widens towards an openingof the inlet (7).
 10. A dishwasher (2) according to claim 1,characterized in that one or more than one overflow siphon (1) accordingto any one of claims 1 to
 9. 11. The dishwasher (2) according to claim10, characterized in that two overflow siphons (1) are respectivelyattached to each of the two front feet (5).
 12. The dishwasher (2)according to claim 10, characterized in that a lower edge (9) of theopening of the washing tub (3) has one or more than one downwardlybending cove-shaped lip (18) which defines an overflow path that fluidlyconnects the washing tub (3) with the inlet (7) of the duct (6), whereinthe inlet (7) of the duct (6) adjoins a respective lip (18).
 13. Thedishwasher (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that each of thefront feet (5) is configured by a height adjustable base (19) and alateral reinforcement plate (20), wherein the lateral reinforcementplate (20) is arranged on a respective lateral side of the washing tub(3) and connects the base (19) with the washing tub (3), and wherein thefirst engagement means of the overflow siphon (1) aligns and detachablyattaches the duct (6) directly to a respective lateral reinforcementplate (20) of the front foot (5).
 14. The dishwasher (2) according toclaim 10, characterized by further comprising a frontal reinforcementbracket (17) which is mounted to the front feet (5), wherein the frontalreinforcement bracket (17) extends horizontally underneath both theoverflow siphon (1) and the washing tub (3) without interfering with thedoor.
 15. The dishwasher (2) according to claim 10, characterized byfurther comprising a discharging unit for discharging the excess watercollected in the reservoir to an outside, wherein the discharging unitincludes a discharge motor and a buoy which is arranged within thereservoir for activating/deactivating operation of the discharge motor.